FS

Tawking horror and making Children of the Witch

Nov 5, 2013

FM
Stage· 99 messages
Nov 5, 2013

Producer Frank Mosca and writer/director Frank Sabatella of Sideshow Pictures discuss current trends in horror and what it's like making films on very tight budgets and the importance of crowd funding.

FM

Frank Mosca · 2:30 AM

OK this thing on?
FM

Frank Mosca · 2:32 AM

Frank you there? Or am I Tawking to myself?
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:32 AM

here i am
FM

Frank Mosca · 2:33 AM

Wow! The Director of COTW! In the flesh!
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:33 AM

Im not really in the flesh. This is digital
FM

Frank Mosca · 2:33 AM

I am going to pretend that we don't know each other, and interview you. You cool with that?
FM

Frank Mosca · 2:33 AM

Good
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:33 AM

haha, ok.
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:34 AM

This will be weird
FM

Frank Mosca · 2:34 AM

So Frank first and foremost, where did you come up with this idea?
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:35 AM

Which idea? COTW?
FM

Frank Mosca · 2:35 AM

yes
FM

Frank Mosca · 2:35 AM

thats why we are here and thats what we be plugging
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:35 AM

Right.
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:37 AM

I was thinking I wanted to do a short that really embodied the halloween spirit and the time of year. And I wanted to incorporate all the classic halloween elements and classic horror movie themes
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:37 AM

So after a bit of thought I started putting the story together with help from Marc Schoenbach and my Sideshow Pics partners.
FM

Frank Mosca · 2:38 AM

Ok thank you for your politically correct answer. You didn't just want to have a bunch of girls running around in their undrwear being murdered, by little people?
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:38 AM

The idea of trick r treaters rising from the grave just seemed like a lot of fun and working in witches and candy apples with razor blades is just so halloween.
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:39 AM

Girls in their underwear never hurts
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:39 AM

but that idea came a little later
FM

Frank Mosca · 2:40 AM

Do you think the dead trick or treaters were your most creepy villains to date?
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:40 AM

Horror movies should be fun and sexy in my opinion and I try to keep that in mind with all my projects
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:42 AM

They are creepy as hell, but I think it is a tough call between them and Old Lady Death from the house that cried blood. They are both damn creepy, but I think little kids always end up creepier in the end
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:43 AM

the masks they were are def nightmare material
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:44 AM

*wear
FM

Frank Mosca · 2:44 AM

I've seen all your movies, they are really well produced! All your monsters are creepy, but it seems you like to make woman
FM

Frank Mosca · 2:44 AM

the bad guys, always! Why do you like evil women?
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:47 AM

haha, they are produced OK I guess. I never really thought about it. I think it is interesting to mae the woman the villain, you dont see it as often and the idea of the femme fatale is always intriguing to me.
FM

Frank Mosca · 2:48 AM

It's amazing, how all your killers are woman, children and fruits. You seem to stay away from the classic slasher that you love so much.
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:48 AM

I think its sexy as well, dangerous women. It's unexpected
FM

Frank Mosca · 2:49 AM

children and fruit?
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:50 AM

well, friday the 13th is my fave slasher of all time and there, you have a woman slasher killing on behalf of her child. At the end of Friday the 13th, it is a creepy kid that pops out of the lake for the final scare
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:50 AM

as for fruit, you have attack of the killer tomatoes which i love for many reasons and was clearly inspired by. as well as the stuff. So yea, groceries can be frightening too.
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:51 AM

eat them before they eat you!
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:51 AM

★ Spotlighted from Tawkers Admin

“FYI Everyone - You can watch Children of the Witch for free by clicking on the banner at the bottom of the screen... Check it out after the Tawk!”

FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:52 AM

eat them before they eat you!
FM

Frank Mosca · 2:52 AM

Why do you think horror is making such comeback, it feels like it is the only thing on mainstream tv?
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:53 AM

probably because we live in scary times. i always say horror is a form of controlled anxiety. its a thrill. people like to feel scared and then safe again when its over
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:54 AM

when things in the real world are frightening, especially economically, you see a rise in horror movies and horror in gneral. you can look at that trend throughout history. horror reflects the times
FM

Frank Mosca · 2:55 AM

Wow that was deep! But its true, people love the feeling of waking up after a nightmare.
FM

Frank Mosca · 2:56 AM

The other day I put on this real scary mask and scared my 3 year old son, I mean bad. He screamed and ran, and just when he calmed down, he said, do it again.
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:56 AM

exactly. I love that horror is invading pop culture. you see young kids wearing zombie shirts, little girls playing with monster dolls. its great. when i was a kid i was the only weirdo on my block into it.
FS

Frank Sabatella · 2:58 AM

yes. its the adrenaline people like. even 3 year olds dig it
FM

Frank Mosca · 2:59 AM

Well, you are still a weirdo. Do you have a favorite type of horror? For me, my favorite of all time is Creepshow.
FM

Frank Mosca · 2:59 AM

But I also love Devils Rejects, 2 totally different styles.
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:00 AM

I cant say I have a fave type specifically. I truly love just about all of it. Creepshow is one of the greatest. Slashers are def my first love and I lean towards them a lot, but the genre is so diverse, there is so much it is hard to say what is my
FM

Frank Mosca · 3:01 AM

Slashers seem to have taken a decline in the last few years, why do you think that is the case?
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:02 AM

fave type. Slashers are like iconic though, when people think of horror they generally think of slashers and i really grew up on them so they are my first love
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:04 AM

I think people want to be more frightened by ghosts right now it seems. Something otherworldy that is still fantastic and horrifying but somewhat reality based. You can almost believe a ghost can happen. It is hard to genuinely fear a slasher today
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:05 AM

★ Spotlighted from Blake Ian

“Frank and Frank - Can you guys Tawk a bit about the role of MUSIC in Horror?”

FM

Frank Mosca · 3:05 AM

people that don't know the genre seem to think people that are obsessed with horror, are sick people. Are you sick?
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:05 AM

Slashers entertain but dont frighten specifically. They are for splatter and sex. More fun, less actual scares. Ghosts and hauntings deliver real scares
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:07 AM

We all go a little mad sometimes.
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:07 AM

but no, Im not sick, my thoughts lean towards the darker side of human nature i guess. It is just a way of expressing that I think.
FM

Frank Mosca · 3:08 AM

Hey Blake Ian! I think music is the second most important element to making a good horror movie after the producer.
FM

Frank Mosca · 3:10 AM

I remember when I was in the 8th grade, my music teacher play scenes from Halloween with kids music, and how its just not scary without a good core.
FM

Frank Mosca · 3:10 AM

score
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:10 AM

haha. Yes, music is insanely important. it can make or break the film. Music brings life to the scenes
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:11 AM

kids music if used properly can be very scary though
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:12 AM

When i go into a project and start thinking about visual direction, I simultaneously think about the score and music as well. to me they are equally important
FM

Frank Mosca · 3:13 AM

When working on such a tight budget, I am sure it is tough on your producer to make things work, I heard that score was something that you would not "skimp" on for COTW.
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:13 AM

when visualizing a scene I need to know how the music will impact those visuals before i even shoot any of it. I rely on it
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:14 AM

no, you cant skimp on the score. no matter how much your producer wants to. it is what will ultimately bring all the elements together. it is the glue if you will
FM

Frank Mosca · 3:16 AM

Do you have problems with your producers and skimping? It seems like you don't judging by how good your films look!
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:17 AM

a good director makes any project look good.
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:17 AM

but we must always be aware of the limitations a tight budget can impose on us
FM

Frank Mosca · 3:18 AM

Ok I see where this is going..., back to COTW, so you and your team set up a site where people can watch COTW for free?
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:19 AM

yes. www.SideshowTheater.com, it is our new viewing site where all of our content will be available streaming for free, or downloadable for 1.99
FM

Frank Mosca · 3:20 AM

I think that this model is the way of the future. For me, this is exciting times for content making. A lot of people have seen COTW and it seems to be really well recieved.
FM

Frank Mosca · 3:20 AM

received
FM

Frank Mosca · 3:21 AM

Why doesn't tawkers have auto spell check?!
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:21 AM

Well, I hope so. I think it is an interestng model for short content right now and I think depending on how the results turn out will dictate how effective it is both in terms of outreach to fans and serving the needs of the artists and content provi
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:21 AM

ders
FM

Frank Mosca · 3:22 AM

I know you want to make features, the traditional way, and show them the traditional way -
FM

Frank Mosca · 3:23 AM

would you be opposed to distributing your feature within this model, if it proved to work?
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:24 AM

my goal has always been to make features and I am open to any effective distribution model. for me effective means reaching my audience fully so they have complete access to it and
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:24 AM

being able to continue to make films
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:25 AM

if this model provides that I am ok with it. I want my work t be seen by the largest audience possible
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:25 AM

I am not so in love with "traditional" distribution, to me theatrical is just ceremonial in a way
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:25 AM

I am very interested in the VOD market, netflix, cable streaming etc.
FM

Frank Mosca · 3:26 AM

Should we have our 2014 meeting right here in front of everyone?
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:27 AM

probly not. you're askin the questions here pal
FM

Frank Mosca · 3:29 AM

Well I think COTW is your best short to date. Do you agree?
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:30 AM

It many ways yes but I cant answer fully yet. Right now it is def the closest thing I have done to achieving my vision most accurately. I think it is a strong piece and everyone involved knocked it out of the park
FM

Frank Mosca · 3:31 AM

Tell us about the cast, Samantha Hahn seems to be a regular for Sideshow films.
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:31 AM

it has def raised the sideshow bar
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:32 AM

Yes. Samantha is like our very own scream queen. She is excellent to work with and I think audiences respond very well to her. So I like to get her involved whenever possible
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:33 AM

The rest of the girls were great too. All new faces we hadnt worked with yet and they brought their talent and professionalism to something that can asily be misconstrued
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:33 AM

when an actress learns that she will be in her underwear the whole time, things can seem off to them
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:34 AM

but they all understod the material and were cool with everything we were doing. they got it
FM

Frank Mosca · 3:35 AM

Well in closing. For me I horror was never something I aspired to produce, only because I started out with dramam's and traditional indies.
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:36 AM

and how has you experience in horror been?
FM

Frank Mosca · 3:37 AM

When I discovered the horror fans and the passion that they had, and the appreciation for the "art" is what drew me to this space.
FM

Frank Mosca · 3:38 AM

Horror fans are unlike many other fans, they really respect the filmmakers.
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:38 AM

word.
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:38 AM

Ok, so I think that about wraps it up. right?
FM

Frank Mosca · 3:39 AM

I guess so.... I had fun tawking with you. Now go tawk yourself.
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:39 AM

Frank Mosca ladies and gentleman.
FS

Frank Sabatella · 3:40 AM

Thanks Tawkers for the time. It was cool. Tawk soon